Apparatus for arc welding



Aug. 16, 1932.. H. J. BU'RNlsH APPARATUS FOR ARC WELDING Filed Sept. 6, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 16, 1932.

' H. .1. BURNISH APPARATUS FOR ARC WELDING Filed Sept. 6. 192s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "INVENTOR Howard lumfsh' ATTORNEY.

l nite magnetic Patented Aug. 1s, 1932 .UNITED s'rArEs PATENn orFlcE'f HOWARD I. BU'NIBH, 0l' mWLUm WISCONSIN', ABSIGNOB TO A. 0. SHITH PORTION, 0l WISCONSIN, A COBPQBATION' 0F m YORK immane-ron. Anc WELDING i Mmmml nea september e. me. semi no. seam. -l

This invention relates to electric arc welding and `articula'rly to a method of and aparatus or the progressive arc welding of ongitudinal seams.- l

In the process aforementioned, the passage of the electric current from the arc through the article bein welded tends to set up defithat reiiect directly u on the characteristics of the arc and the we d resulting therefrom. The longitudinal position-of the weldrod with respectto the article has a definite bearing upon `the flux conditions before mentioned. This is particularly noticeable when the weldrod is within the zones adjacent the ends of the article being welded.

In order to weld a seam wherein the portions of the weld adjacent the ends is comparable with the weld at the intermediate portion, it has heretofore been necessary for the operator to provide and maintain a careful and constant adjustment of the feeding of the weldrod durin the beginning and the finishing of the wel ing operation, and, in spite of the careful adjustments necessary, it has heretofore been diilicult to` provide a weld having thendesirable uniform characteristics 'throughout its entire length, because of the varying flux conditions during the welding operation. L,

The invention has for its object the providingofa method and apparatus whereby the difficulties above-referred'to may be substantially eliminated. r

A further object is to maintain uniform and desirable flux conditionsv during the welding operation.

A further ob'ect of the invention is to avoid the necessity' of carefully adjusting the feeding of the weldrod when the welding is being effected in the'zones adjacent the ends of the article being welded.

In order to overcome the diilculties beforementioned, the invention contemplates` the S'provision of flux carrying meinbers which ux conditions in the article.

are adapted to abut against the ends of the article adjacent the weld thereof and to provide in eifeet an extension of the article, in order that the flux conditions set up at the ends may be the same as those during the welding of the intermediate sections.

The invention is articularly applicable to the manufacture ofp tubular articles, `such as pipe, employed in the transportation of oil, water, gas, and other uids.

j Reference is now` made to the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred ems bodiment of the inventionl in which:

Figure 1 is a lon 'tudinal sectional view of the machine showing the tubular article inposition for welding. y

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine showing the clamping jaws in open position.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the machine on line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, the work being omitted.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 4. y

In the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a frame suitably secured tothe Hoor and adapted to support the clamping mechanism for maintaining the flux carrying members in` electrical contact with the ends of the article.

The frame is preferably in the formof an I-beam having the upper flanges 2 thereof perforated at desirable points 3 for receiving the securing bolts 4 anchoring the machine to the frame. The lower anges 5 are secured -to a foundation in any suitable manner.

The machine, according to the invention,

provides clamping mechanisms 6 and 7 adapted to "firmly clamp the opposite ends of the article 8 to welded and to bring the flux carrying members 9 and 10 into firm electrical andrmagnetic contact with the ends of the tubular article.

Both clamps 6 and 7 are provided with a base 11 having the bottom face 12 thereof beveled surface of the base 11 may be effected.

The clamping mechanism 7 is provided with a supporting bracket 14 which comprises a bottom portion 15, suitably secured to the base as by bolts 16, and a pair of spaced upright members 17 and 18 which support a longitudinally extending drum 19.

The upright member 17 on the clamping mechanism is provided with a bracket 20 which extends axially frombelow the drum and has secured thereto a suitable guiding roller 21 which is preferably providedwith a curved face 22 for supporting and guiding the tubular article 8.

In order that the opposite ends of the article may be clamped 4simultaneously and with a minimum of labor and expenditure of time, the invention provides means whereby the clamping action at one end of the article may be effected by a longitudinal movement of the article to be welded, which movement is accomplished during the clamping action of the mechanism at the opposite end of the tubular article.

To this end the drum 19 on the clamping mechanism 7 is adapted to slidably receive a sleeve member 23 which is rigidly secured at suitable intervals by welding or otherwise to the flux carrying ring 10. The sleeve 23 is substantially shorter than the drum 19 and the flux carrying ring, and is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending recesses 24 in which is adapted to be secured one end of leaf spring members 25.

The other ends of the leaf springs 25 are secured to segmental wedge-shaped clamping jaws 26 having inclined outer surfaces 27 and having the inner surface 28 thereof adapted to firmly grip the end of the article to be welded when in clamping position. The drum 19 is provided on its inner walls adjacent the forward end thereof with a bevel surface 29 complementary to the inclined surface 27 of the clamping jaws, so that a, rearward movement of the clamping jaws 26 will cause the same to contract and firmly grip the tubular article.

The drum 19 is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending arms 30 and 31 to the rear ends of which a channel-shaped Across arm 32 is secured forming a backing for a spring 33. The cross arm is provided with a guiding aperture 34 in a suitable position for receiving the guide rod 35 which latter is secured to a closure member 36 suitably fastened to the rear end of the flux carrying ring 10, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The spring 33 normally urges the flux carrying ring 10 together with the clamping jaws 26 and the sleeve 23 forwardly. When the clamping jaws are in forward position, the leaf sprin 25 urge the jaws outwardly to maintain t e same in open position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 6.

It will be seen from the above'description that an endwise movement of the tubular article from left to right, as shown in Figure 1, will first bring the end of the tubular article 8 into abutment with the flux carrying ring 10 and thereafter cause the flux carry- -ing ring, the sleeve 23, and the clamping jaws 26 to slide rearwardly in Ythe drum against the tension of the spring 33. The rearward movement of the clamping jaws will effect a gripping action of the same on the end of the tubular article because of the beveled surfaces on the clamping jaws and the drum, which give a wedging action toy the jaws.

The clamping mechanism on the opposite end of the tubular article is provided with means for affecting the endwise movement of the tubular article to be welded and to further effect a clamping of both ends of the tubular article.

`To this end the clamping mechanism 6 comprises a drum 37 suitably supported by brackets 38 and 39 on a plate 40 which is 'secured to the base 11. The drum 37 is suitably proportioned to slidably receive the flux carrying ring 9. The forward bracket 39 is further adapted to support a roller 41 suitably journaled as at 42.

The drum is provided on its forward end with a plurality of pairs of spaced ears 43 between which is adapted to be pivoted the tongues 44 of segmental wedge-shaped clamping jaws 45 which have outer inclined faces 46 and inner curved faces 47 conforming to the curvature of the tubular article 8 to be welded and adapted to grip the same twhen the clamping device is in closed posiion.

Slidably mounted on the forward'end of the drum 37 is a collar 48 having an inner inclined face 49 adjacent the forward end thereof to conform with the inclined surface 46 of the wedge-shaved jaws. The'collar is.

the lugs 52 and the heads 54 of the guide bolts to normally urge the flux carrying ring 9 into contact with the tubular article. The

- guide bolts 50 are provided with transverse pins 55 adapted to engage the lugs 52 to withdraw the iux carrying ring 9 when the clamping jaws are released.

The rear end of the collar is'further provided with a pluralit of upwardly extending lugs 56 to each of w ich is attached one end of a spring member 57, the other end of the spring member being attached to upwardly into engagement with the tubular article4 extending lugs 58 on the clamping aws 45 so that when the collar 48 is moved rearwardly.

the spring tension will eiect the opening o the jaws, as shown by the dotted lines 'in Fig.

5, to permit the insertion and removal of thel article to be welded.

Operating mechanism is provided for effecting a sliding movement of the` collar 48 vrelative to the clamping jaws and the drum 37, and preferably consists in a toggle mechanism connected .to an operating handle 59.

The toggle mechanism preferably comprises a pair of oppositely disposed links each of which is secured at one end thereof t0 the collar 48 and having the free end pivotally connected to one end of the links 61 and 62.

The links 61 are pivotally mounted 0n the The flux carrying rings 9 and 10 are preferably of slightly smaller diameter than that of the tubular article-8 to be welded to provide a certain clearance between the clampingfin ers and the ring to enable the former to rigldly clamp the tubular article. The ux carrying rings are preferably of a composition similar to that of the tubular article in order that the flux in the latter may be readtire length of the tubular article.

The operation of the device may be brieliy mechanism is in open position, as shown in Fig. 2 and by dotted lines in Figs. 5 and 6, the tubular article is placed onto the rollers 21 and 41 and positioned between the clamping members 6 and 7. The operator then the lips 52 of the ring 9, and permitting the spring 53 to force the flux carrying ring 9 ily transferred into the former and to provide uniform flux conditionsV throughout the enexplained as follows: When the clamping presses the handle 59 downwardly and the toggle mechanism effects a forward move-A ment to the collar 48, moving the pins 55 from and moving theysanie engagement with the iux carrying ring 10 of the vclamping member 7.

.Y The springs l53 combined','ha'ving greater compression strength than the spring 33 of the opposite 4clamping mechanism, efect a further longitudinal movement of the tubular article which causes the clamping jaws 26 of the 'clamping member 7 to firmly grasp thevv tubular article. The further forward movement of the collar 48-eiects a wedge action between the same and the clamping n jaws 45 on the operating end and causes the `same to firmly gripthe tubular article.

. After 'completion' of the Welding operation, the handle-*may be operated inthe other direction to Withdraw the collar,` 48 from the clamping members 45, and relieve the clamping. pressure thereof. The withdrawal of the collar 48 further relieves the action of .the springs 53,'Q`thus allowing the spring 33 to advance the Hux carrying ring 10, the

member 23 and the work to relieve the clamping pressure of the jaws 26. A further movement of the collar carries the pins 55 into engagement with the lugs 52 on the flux carrying sleeve 9 and withdraws it from the work, so that the finished article` may be removed and another blank inserted.

' The invention thus described provides a method whereby the article being welded forms in effect an intermediate section of a A 'longer' article formed by the section itselfA andthe flux carrying members 9 and 10. It will thus be seen that the magnetic conditions set up throughout the entire length of f the article being welded will be substantially the same a's would normally occur in the vintermediate section lthereof during'the welding operation.

Although the invention in connection with the welding of longitudinal seams in tubular articlesit is understood hasAbeen described los that various modifications may be made with# in the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim: f v

1. An apparatus for the progressive arc welding of tubular articles of definite lengths comprising ring members kadapted to abut the opposite ends of the tubular article, means .for clamping said ring members in electrical contact with the ends of said tubular article, and -means responsive to longitudinal movement .of the tubular articlev for operating one of said -clamping means.

v2. In an apparatus for the progressive arc weldingof tubularparticles' of definite lengths, means for clamping the opposite ends of said tubular article and means responsive to longitudinal movement of said` tubular article for operating one of said clamping means.

A work support for tubular articles comprising clamping means adapted to clamp the opposite ends of the tubular article,

means for operating one of said clampin means, means responsive to said last name clamping action for effecting the movement of the tubular article, and means responsive to longitudinal movement of the tubular article for operating the other of said clamping means.

4. An apparatus for the progressive arc Welding of `tubular articles comprising ux carrying members Vadapted to abut the opposite ends of the tubular article, means for clamping said Hux carrying members in abutting relation to the ends of said tubular article, means responsive to an endwise movement of the tubular article for operating one of the clamping means, means for manually operating the other of said clamping means, and means responsive to the last named clamping means forrreifecting an endwise movement/of the tubular article.

fIn an apparatus for progressive arc Welding of tubular articles, a ring-shaped {hlx-carrying member, meansfor aligning a tubular article axially with respect to said member, and means for clamping the Huxcarrying member in abutment against one end of the tubular article to improve the welding characteristics thereof.`

6. In an apparatus for progressive arc welding of pipe, a pair of ring-shaped fluxcarrying members disposed to receive the ends of the pipebeing welded, means for aligning the pipe and the Eux-carrying members, and means for securing the members in abutment against the ends of the pipe to improve the Welding characteristics thereof.

7. In an apparatus for progressive arc Welding of pipe, a ring-shaped flux-carrying member disposed to receive one end of the pipe being Welded, a sleeve carrying a. plurality of Wedge-shaped clamping members secured to the flux-carrying member, and means for actuating the wedges to clamp the pipe in abutment against the flux-carrying member.

8. In an apparatus for electric arc welding sheet metal pipe, a finzi-carrying ring disposed to receive one end of the pipe being Welded, a plurality of clamps carrler by a sleeve encompassing the ring, and means responsive to endwise movement of the pipe for actuating the clamps against the pipe to hold it in abutment against the ring to facilitate Welding.

9. In an apparatus for electric arc welding sheet metal pipe, in combination, a pair of iiuX-carrying rings disposed to receive respective ends of the pipe being welded, means for aligning the pipe with respect to said rings, and means for securing the pipe in abutment with the rings during the Welding operation to improve the welding characteristics of the pipe adjacent its ends.

10. In an apparatus for electric arc Welding sheet metal pipe, in combination, a pair` of linx-carrying rin disposed to receive the ends of the plpe ing welded, clamping means at one end ofthe pipe disposed to be actuated by longitudinal movement of the pipe for securing the respective iux-carrying ring to that end of the pipe, means at the opposite end of the pipe for clam ing the other ring to the pipe, and manua ly operable means for effecting a longitudinal movement of the pipe and for simultaneously actuating the clamping mechanism not operated by the movement of the pipe.

In testimony lwhereof I have hereunto signed my name at Milwaukee, Wisconsin'1 this 3rd day of September, 1929.

HOWARD J. BURNISH. 

